Method of treating sandy soils to reduce water repellency therein

ABSTRACT

Certain novel formulations of turf additives that act in such a manner as to permit proper amounts of moisture to contact root systems in order to reduce dry spots within highly managed turf areas and/or lawns. It is theorized that the accumulation of humic acid (and other natural byproduct deleterious compounds) at the topsoil surface in most cultivated grassy areas including sandy soils (such as, in particular, golf greens), results in the production of an effective organic waxy coating on the soil components. Such a coating is hydrophobic in nature and thus dries out the soil itself. The inventive formulation thus permits removal of such accumulated humic acid (and other compounds) from the topsoil to the level necessary to provide effective moisture penetration for sustained grass growth therein (hereinafter referred to as “redistributes”). Methods of providing such beneficial removal of humic substances from target sandy soils are also contemplated within this invention, as well as specific test hydrophobic sand formulations.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to certain novel formulations of turfadditives that act in such a manner as to permit proper amounts ofmoisture to contact root systems in order to reduce dry spots withinhighly managed turf areas and/or lawns. It is theorized that theaccumulation of humic acid (and other natural byproduct deleteriouscompounds) at the topsoil surface in most cultivated grassy areasincluding sandy soils (such as, in particular, golf greens, pastures,lawns, and the like), as well as other non-grassy sandy areas in whichsuch humic acid accumulation poses water repellency problems (such asbeaches), results in the production of an effective organic waxy coatingon the soil and/or sand components. Such a coating is hydrophobic innature and thus dries out the soil itself. The inventive formulationthus permits removal of such accumulated humic acid (and othercompounds) from the topsoil to the level necessary to provide effectivemoisture penetration for sustained grass growth therein (hereinafterreferred to as “redistributes”). Methods of providing such beneficialremoval of humic substances from target sandy soils are alsocontemplated within this invention, as well as specific test hydrophobicsand formulations.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] Localized dry spots are a distinct problem within highly managedturf areas and/or lawns, in particular those with sandy soils, primarilyfor aesthetic reasons. Such dry spots are the result of the developmentof areas of varying degrees of water repellency within and at thesurface of the target soil. Plant water usage is critical to sustainedplant growth; however, the existence of such localized dry spots createsa problem with nonuniformity of water supply to treated grasses overtime. Basically, in times of high stress and/or easy water evaporation(e.g., higher temperatures, low humidity), such water repellency areaswill exhibit higher water loss than others. As a result, the plant lifepresent within the target lawn or green will not receive uniform, and,at times, vastly different levels of, water supply. As time passes, thedifference in the amount of water supplied to discrete areas of thetarget lawn or green may become more disparate. Thus, the possibilityfor localized dry spots to materialize within sandy soils is relativelyhigh over a sustained length of time (e.g., from 6 to 18 months onaverage from genesis to being empirically noticed), and, again, mosttimes the existence of such dry spots is unknown to the lawn or greencaretaker until materialization (since the presence of such waterrepellency areas may exist anywhere within the topsoil, from the surfaceto as low as about 2 inches below, the area of greatest concentration ofgrass root systems).

[0003] Also, hydrophobicity of sand creates certain problems with regardto pooling water after raining (as one example) which in turn causesunsightly areas either within highly sandy yards, ballparks, or beaches,or to provide water penetration in dry sandy conditions in order topossibly sustain plant-life therein (such as arid desert-like areas).Reduction in such water repellency would thus be helpful in maintaining,at least, better aesthetics for such sandy areas, as well as thepossibility for permitting or promoting the growth of sustained plantlife in such dry, barren areas..

[0004] Without intending to be bound to any particular scientifictheory, it is believed that such water repellency areas within sandysoils are the result of the presence of humic substances and theirattachment to soil components, particularly in large accumulations atthe topsoil surface. Humus is degraded plant and animal matter (bymicrobial organisms) and is basically the organic portion of soil thatcomprises the necessary nutrients to sustain plant growth and lifetherein. One byproduct of such humus (again produced through a naturallyoccurring process within the soil) is humic acid (simply the acidic formof humus, basically a mix of various different materials). Humic acidand other like substances, although necessary for the sustenance ofplant life as it provides the aforementioned nutrients to root systems,unfortunately also appears to create problems within sandy soils, mostparticularly the creation of a waxy organic, water-repellent coatingupon binding to and with soil components (for instance, and withoutlimitation, sand). If such a coating is permitted to accumulate over along period of time, such as the aforementioned 6 to 18 month period,and particularly at the topsoil surface, the coating becomes highlywater repellent in nature and uniform plant water use is difficult toachieve, as mentioned previously. In theory, and, again, withoutintending to be bound to such theory, it is believed that such a coatingis formed by the amphiphylic humic acid (or other like humic substance)adhering, by its hydrophilic portion, to the hydrophilic sites withinthe sandy soil, permitting the highly hydrophobic ends to extend(similar in nature to a micelle). Such a coating is thus hydrophobic innature and, when present as a thorough coating over such surfaceportions, again, tends to either drive water away or facilitate waterloss by preventing moisture from passing through to the subterraneanroots of any plants therein. If the water remains at the surface,evaporation is also facilitated as it cannot easily penetrate within thesoil. Such a problem exists, as noted above, not only within greens, butalso within lawns and pastures (as merely some examples of such troubleareas). In order to provide a uniform appearance in lawns and greens, ithas been a requirement either to water consistently in very largeamounts (which is wasteful and possibly damaging to the plantsthemselves) or to water selected trouble areas by hand on a continuousbasis (which is labor-intensive and possibly wasteful in terms of waterconsumption). Furthermore, it is generally too late to know of troublewater repellent areas within such lawns or greens until they becomeapparent empirically. For pastures, pools of water develop sporadicallyon occasion due to this problem; the standard method of remedying thisproblem is to dig up the earth and wait for the humic substances to beconsumed as nutrients (over a relatively long period of time) by theroot systems therein. Such a procedure thus leaves an aestheticallydispleasing result and is not always reliable for reducing waterrepellency therein. Thus, it has been found that there exists a need toprovide a simple method and/or formulation for reducing such a humicacid water repellency effect at the soil surface without creatingdetrimental effects to the surface plant life.

[0005] In the past, the best methods of reducing the amount and presenceof localized dry spots have basically involved the introduction ofcertain surfactants to the soil for the transport of water through thesurface coating, preferably in tandem with compounds that decrease thesurface tension of the waxy coating to permit penetration of the activesurfactant components themselves in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,921,023 to Ogawa etal., 5,595,957 to Bowey et al., and 5,731,268 to Taguchi et al. Such amethod has been problematic to a certain extent due to the costassociated with some silicon-based surfactants, biodegradability issuesof most viable surfactants, as well as foaming problems when water ispresent, and/or the difficulty in removal of degraded coating componentsafter surfactant treatment. Also, this specific surfactant-onlytreatment does not remove the waxy coating to an appreciable degree fromthe target topsoil surface.

[0006] Another manner of reducing such dry spot problems has beenincreasing watering itself. However, such a method is labor intensiveand, in many areas where water is not plentiful, use for aestheticpurposes (e.g., lawns, greens, and the like), is preferably kept at aminimum as compared to other more important purposes (e.g., drinkingwater). Such an issue also contributes to the aforementioned developmentof water repellency areas over long periods of time because of theinability of the caretaker to continuously supply moisture to targetlawns, greens, etc., to the levels needed to best ensure uniformity ofwatering is accomplished. Other possible attempts at alleviating such aproblem exist, albeit as an aim at removing contaminants (e.g., oils,fuels, etc.) from the target soils for improving plant growth therein(U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,896 to Jahnke et al. and WO01/26832 to LubrizolCorporation). Such a method does not provide the same degree humicsubstance removal, however, needed to provide the reliability oftreatment for localized dry spot reduction. Also, another option hasbeen the tearing up of the topsoil itself to physically breakdown thehumic acid accumulation. Unfortunately, such a procedure is also laborintensive and invariably disturbs the plant life to too great an extentin order to properly manage uniform growth of target plants and grasses.Furthermore, once the plant life has begun to grow in such a scenario,humic acid begins to accumulate anyway, such that unless physicallyaltering the topsoil is undertaken, the same problem of plant life loss(and thus the development of dry spots within the lawn or garden) wouldresult without further effective moisture penetration. Thus, thereremains a need for a simplified, chemical remedy to this waxy coating ofhumic acid (and other like substances) within lawns, greens, and thelike. To date, other than those specific procedures noted above, such aremedy has not been provided with the aim at reducing such unwantedhumic substance topsoil surface accumulation in order to providesustained uniform water supply over the entire target green and/or lawn.Further previous attempts at remedying such localized dry spot waterrepellency problems include treatment of golf greens with sodiumhydroxide. Such a treatment does in fact remove the hydrophobic coating;however, it is also highly phytotoxic to grass and thus is anunacceptable method from a commercial perspective.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is thus an object of the invention to provide an improvedmethod of lowering topsoil surface tension by chemically reacting (orpossibly complexing) with the hydrophobic portion of such humic acidcoatings, thereby permitting moisture to penetrate such a coating andnot only pass to the root systems of target plants therein but alsopossibly transporting the surface-accumulated humic substances into thesoil for root consumption of the nutrients provided by such substances.A simple, safe formulation permitting such a method is also an object ofthis invention. Additionally, a test hydrophobic sand formulation isalso an object of this invention in order to permit reliable laboratoryanalysis of the effectiveness of certain formulations to provide theaforementioned desired reaction with hydrophobic portions of humic acidcoatings.

[0008] Accordingly, this invention concerns a soil additive formulationand/or method of treating sandy areas, soils, or areas including bothsand and soil (such as lawns, greens, pastures, beaches, dry desert-likeareas, and the like), wherein said soil additive formulation isnon-phytotoxic and exhibits a humic acid removal capacity under thehydrophobic sand humic acid removal test of at least 150 ppm. Such aformulation comprises, preferably, at least one humic acidredistribution compound selected from the group consisting of at leastone C₂₋₆₀ (or possibly higher) alkyl, alkenyl, and/or alkaryl succinicanhydride or acid (the anhydride will convert to its acid form upondissolution in water) mono-cation or di-cation salt resulting from thereaction with either a metal or amine functional neutralization salt, atleast one C₄₋₆₀ (or possibly higher) branched or unbranched diacid mono-or di-cation salt resulting from the reaction with either a metal oramine functional neutralization salt, at least one polycarboxylic acidderivative salt, and any mixtures thereof, and from 0-99% by weight ofat least one compound that actively lowers the surface tension of humicacid waxy coatings from hydrophobic sand particles. Such a formulationmay also comprise a copolymer exhibiting both hydrophilic andhydrophobic portions for reaction with the hydrophobic portions of suchhydrophobic sand particles in order to further provide hydrophilicextensions therefrom to facilitate the reaction between the bound humicacid and the aforementioned humic acid removal compound. Furthermore, aninventive synthetic hydrophobic sand formulation exhibiting apenetration period of at least 9 seconds for a drop of 2 molar ethanolunder a minimal ethanol drop test is also encompassed within thisinvention. Lastly, a method for reducing localized dry spot formationwithin lawns or greens comprising the application of a soil additiveformulation to a target lawn or green, wherein said soil additiveformulation exhibits a humic acid removal capacity under certainconditions of at least 150 ppm from a sample of the aforementionedsynthetic hydrophobic sand formulation is additionally encompassed bythis invention. Again, to date, nothing within the pertinent prior artteaches or fairly suggests such specific inventions.

[0009] Such a composition and method of treating sandy areas may thus beutilized for the redistribution of humic substances in sandy areasalone. In such a manner, the sandy area (if it a beach, for example) maybe modified to permit water penetration therein, to prevent unsightlywater pools, for example, after raining, or to dry desert-like areas inorder to permit water penetration to sustain root systems of plant-lifewhich would not grow otherwise.

[0010] The term “synthetic” as it applies to the inventive hydrophobicsand above, is intended to indicate that such sand is manipulated via asynthetic route to provide such a high level of hydrophobicity throughchemical treatment of sand itself. It is not intended to mean a sandformulation that has been produced in total by hand. Of course, sand,being silicon dioxide, is available naturally, but it generally exhibitsvery low, if any hydrophobicity levels. Thus, the term “synthetic” is,again, intended to show that the hydrophobic properties thereof arechemically provided by hand and not in nature.

[0011] The inventive formulation may either be applied in liquid form,pellet form, or granular form to the selected treated area.

[0012] The inventive formulation, in terms of composition, thus requiresat least one humic substance (in particular, humic acid) redistributioncompound. In effect, such a compound or mix of compounds reacts with thehydrophobic portions of the humic acid (the portion of the humic acidnot attached to the hydrophilic sand and/or soil particles) present atthe target topsoil surface. Upon binding thereto, the redistributioncompound provides sites for strong water adhesion. Such adhered waterdroplets will be pulled into the sand and/or soil by further adhesion byother particles or through cohesion with other water droplets). Thebinding energy of the water droplets to the redistribution compound isgreater than that of the humic acid to the sand and/or soil, therebypermitting release of the humic acid for transport into the target soilfor consumption as nutrients by the root systems of the plants therein.Thus, the humic acid redistribution is effectuated sufficiently to allowfor greater amounts of moisture to penetrate the topsoil as well aseffectively permitting transport of humic substance nutrients to thetarget roots, all for increased plant growth and reduction of waterrepellent areas.

[0013] Such a humic acid redistribution compound may be of any type thatprovides the above-discussed humic acid redistribution and transport viawater movement. Preferably, and without limitation, such aredistribution compound may be chosen from three different classes ofsalts or weak polymeric acids, namely succinic anhydride (or acid) mono-and di-cation salts resulting from reactions with a metal or aminefunctional neutralization salt, such as hydroxy, alkoxy or C₁-C₆₀ alkyl,alkenyl, and/or alkylaryl succinic acid mono- and di-cation saltsresulting from reaction with a metal or amine functional neutralizationsalt; C₄-C₆₀ branched or unbranched diacid salts, and polycarboxylicacid derivative salts.

[0014] Non-limiting, preferred compounds for this purpose includealkenyl succinic anhydride di-cation salts, in particular such compoundsas octenyl succinic anhydride and tetrapropenyl succininc anhydride dipotassium salts, available from Milliken & Company under the tradenamesSYNFAC® 8515 and SYNFAC® 8510, respectively. Examples of non-limitingpreferred diacid salts within this invention include potassium sebacate,potassium adipate, and other dicarboxylic acid mono-metal, di-metal, oramine functional mono- or di-cation salts including such basic compoundsas oxalic, malonic, succinic, glutaric, tartaric acid, and malic acids,having metal or amine counter ions of any corresponding valence metal orneutralizing amine, such as, without limitation, Na, Li, K, Mg, Ca,monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ammonia, and/ormonoalkyl, dialkyl, and/or trialkyl amines. Such a compound (orcompounds) is one that can be easily prepared by those skilled in theart by neutralizing a selected dicarboxylic acid with a selected base toform the desired salt or amine. Examples of preferred, non-limiting,polycarboxylic acid salts include solutions of maleic copolymer salts,water soluble polymeric polyelectrolytes, and other sodium salt-basedanionic polymers, available from Milliken & Company under the tradenameINVIGORATE® (a formulation previously utilized for the purpose ofagglomerating fine soil particles into larger particles thus creatinggreater pore space therebetween as well to agglomerate clay or organicfines). Each of these classes of humic acid redistribution compoundsprovides the requisite humic acid removal and transport discussedpreviously. As noted below, such compounds effectively remove suchunwanted topsoil substances from synthetic hydrophobic sand and thus areeffective as compounds utilized by themselves for such purpose whenapplied to target lawns and/or greens (as one preferred embodiment). Thehumic acid redistribution compound may thus be comprised of all of thesoil (and/or turf) additive formulation, but such a formulationpreferably comprises from 1-99% by weight of such a redistributioncompound; more preferably from about 10-90% by weight; more preferablyfrom about 15-75% by weight. For the succinic anhydride-type salts, theamount may be even more preferably from about 50-75% by weight of theformulation, still more preferably from about 60-72%, and mostpreferably between about 65-72%. For the maleic copolymer alternativecompounds, the amount may be even more preferably from about 10-25% byweight of the entire formulation, still more preferably from about12-20%, and most preferably between about 17-19%. In such an instance,however, a large amount of the maleic copolymer-containing formulationwill be water, from about 40-60% by weight, more preferably from about40-50%, in order to permit uniform dispersion for effective applicationto the target lawn and/or green.

[0015] However, in order to best ensure initial penetration of suchremoval compounds within the target topsoil areas (which may or may notbe thoroughly coated with humic substance waxy coatings), it ispreferable to include at least one compound within the formulation forthe lowering of the surface tension at the topsoil surface which is alsocompatible with the aforementioned required humic acid removal compound.Such a compound can be an alkoxylated (preferably ethoxylated) alcohol(surfactant), such as a branched or unbranched C₆-C₆₀ alcohol alkoxylate(preferably, again, ethoxylate) (for utilization with the aforementionedsuccinic anhydride salts and long-chain acid salts), or alkoxylated(preferably ethoxylated) C₈-C₄₀ fatty acid (for utilization incombination with the aforementioned maleic copolymer-containingformulations). Such compounds may be branched or unbranched inconfiguration. Examples of preferred types of alcohol alkoxylates forthis purpose include C₆₋₆₀alkyl,alkenyl or alkylaryl EO/PO surfactants,linear or branched, and secondary or primary hydroxyl in type, includingmixtures of surfactants comprising from 99 to 1% by weight of at leastone surfactant selected from polyalkylene oxide compounds with thegeneral formula:

R₃—O—(C₂H₄O)_(c)(C₃H₆O)_(d)R₃

[0016] wherein c is 0 to 500; d is 0 to 500, and R₃ is H, or an alkylgroup with 1 to 4 carbon atoms; wherein the polyalkylene oxide has amolecular weight in the range of 300 to 51,000; and a second optionaldifferent surfactant comprising a compound of the general formula

R₄—O(CH₂CH₂O)x(CHR₅CH₂O)yR₆

[0017] wherein x is from 1 to 50; y is 0-50: R₄ is a branched or linearalkyl, alkenyl, aryl or an aryl group optionally having an alkyl groupsubstituent, the alkyl group having up to 60 carbon atoms; R₅ isselected from H and alkyl groups having from 1 to 2 carbon atoms; and R₆is selected from H and alkyl groups having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms.Suitable secondary surfactants also include carboxylic and dicarboxylicesters of the general formula:

R₄CO_(a)(CH₂CH₂O)x(CHR₅CH₂O)yCO_(b)R₆

[0018] wherein x is from 1 to 50; y is 1-50, a is from 1 to 2, b is from1 to 2: R₄ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having up to 60 carbons or anaryl group optionally having an alkyl group substituent, the alkyl grouphaving up to 60 carbon atoms; R₅ is selected from H and alkyl groupshaving from 1 to 2 carbon atoms; and R₆ is selected from H and alkylgroups having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms.

[0019] The surface tension of such a surface-active compound (orcompounds) should in effect be below the general level of such a humicsubstance waxy coating, thus less than about 30 dynes/m². Asnon-limiting examples for this purpose, tridecyl alcohol (8 EO), andcoconut fatty acid (9 EO), are preferred. The amount of such a componentwithin the inventive formulation is, as above, different for each type,depending on the type of humic acid removal compound present therein.Thus, for the succinic anhydride and long chain salt types, the amountof such an additive should range from about 1-20%, more preferably fromabout 5-15%, and most preferably from about 7-10%, all by weight of theentire formulation. For the remaining type of humic acid removalcompounds, the amount of such an alkoxylated fatty acid ranges fromabout 1-25%, more preferably from about 10-20%, and most preferably fromabout 16-20%, all by weight of the entire formulation. Such analkoxylated fatty acid is essentially required upon the presence of suchmaleic copolymer type components, if such a type of removal compound isactually present therein.

[0020] Another optional compound for introduction within the inventiveformulation is a polyoxyalkylenated copolymer additive comprising atleast two different alkylene oxide monomers, such as, withoutlimitation, but preferably, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, may beadded, particularly with the highly preferred aforementioned succinicacid salts and/or long chain salts, for facilitation of the binding ofthe redistribution compounds to the target humic acid deposits throughsuch copolymer groups. In essence, without intending on being bound toany scientific theory, it is believed that the more hydrophobic portions(propylene oxide, or PO, monomers, for example) bind to the hydrophobicends of the humic acid, and the more hydrophilic portions (ethyleneoxide, or EO, for example) bind readily to the salt removal compounds.In such a manner, the binding energy of the humic acid to the soiland/or sand is overcome by the pull of water droplets on the entirecomplex of salt-copolymer-humic acid such that transport to within thesoil is accomplished and the humic acid can thus be more readily removedfrom the topsoil surface. Again, such a copolymer component is notnecessary for proper functioning of the inventive formulation in everyinstance, although its presence may be desired in an effort to reducethe amount of humic acid removal compounds (which may be expensive ordifficult to find in large quantities) within the soil (and/or turf)additive formulation and still provide an effective manner of reducinglocalized dry spots within the target lawn and/or green. Such acopolymer may thus be of any length and molecular weight with apreferred molecular weight of between 1000 and 5000, more preferablyfrom about 2000 to about 3500, and most preferably from about 2750 toabout 3250. Such a copolymer is available from BASF under the family oftradenames of PLURONIC®. If present, such copolymer should be present inan amount of from about 1 to about 85% by weight of the entireformulation, more preferably from about 20 to about 80%, and mostpreferably from about 55 to about 75%.

[0021] Such an inventive formulation is one example of a soil additivethat provides the desired topsoil humic acid removal that is necessaryto effectuate the reduction in dry spot formation within vegetativeareas. As discussed above, the aim of this invention is to lower thesurface tension of humic acid accumulations on topsoil by reacting withthe hydrophobic extensions of such an acid coating. This result isanalogous to certain laboratory analyses involving the removal of humicacid from a synthetic hydrophobic humic-acid coated sand formulation. Inorder to best develop and test the effectiveness of such a novel soiladditive formulation, it was necessary to develop the aforementionednovel synthetic hydrophobic sand since no such sand is availablecommercially. As noted below in greater detail, the basic premise inproducing such novel sand is to attach large amounts of humic acidthereto in order to provide a highly hydrophobic sand. Such a sandformulation can be utilized for more than just this analysis of humicacid removal, as low water uptake can help in terms of less water-ladensandbox components, better flowing hourglass sand, and countless otherend-uses. For this invention, the humic acid-treated sand exhibits avery high hydrophobicity in terms of adding drops of variousconcentrations of ethanol to the target sand surface (when flattened asa level surface) and determining the molar concentration of methanolrequired to permit penetration of the ethanol into the sand itselfwithin a ten second interval. Again, as measured below, such aninventive sand must exhibit a penetration time of at least 9 seconds fora drop (e.g., about 40 μL) of 2M ethanol (based on pure 200 proofethanol). Upon producing this test sand, then, a proper laboratoryanalysis of the humic acid removal capability of the inventive soiladditive formulation can be undertaken. Such a method of analyzing humicacid removal from such synthetic hydrophobic sand basically entails, forour purposes, the analyses of water-removed humic acid from hydrophobic(humic acid-coated) sand particles, as discussed in greater detailbelow.

[0022] The inventive formulations may include any other standardcomponents for lawn, garden, or other vegetation treatment, including,further wetting agents, colorants (for aesthetic purposes or forapplication identification), perfumes, water, electrolytes, fertilizer,pesticides, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Initially, the production of a suitable hydrophobic sandformulation was necessary to properly analyze the ability of theparticular soil additive formulations for sufficient removal of humicacid coatings applied thereto. As noted above, such an hydrophobic sandformulation is novel as to its synthetic nature and its resultantreproducible hydrophobicity as measured by an ethanol drop test. Thus,such a novel hydrophobic sand formulation was produced and tested asfollows:

[0024] First, humic acid sodium salt was converted to acid form bytreating with a molar amount of 1N hydrochloric acid followed by coatingtarget sand with such humic acid. Thus, humic acid sodium salt(purchased from Aldrich Chemical) was mixed with 1N hydrochloric acid(36% acid diluted with Deionized water). Using 1 liter of such 1N HCl,100 grams of Humic Acid sodium salt was added and allowed to stir 16hours. After stirring, the solution was filtered through a Whatman #2filter paper and washed with excess deionized water three times toremove excess HCl. The residual humic acid was then dried in an 80° C.oven for 12 hours (or until dry). The resultant humic acid material wasthen ground with a mortar and pestle to a fine powder consistency.

[0025] Sand, a GA-45 washed top dressing sand for golf greens, availablefrom Golf Agronomics, was then treated with such humic acid. Using 20grams of the treated humic acid from above, it was combined with 250grams reagent methanol and 250 grams deionized water. The solution wasthen agitated for two hours to insure full dissolution of the powder.Once dissolved, 500 grams of the sand was added thereto and the mixturewas allowed to tumble for at least 4 hours to insure full coating by thehumic acid. Subsequently, the sand was then filtered through Whatman #2filter paper to remove excess solvents and then placed in an 80° C. ovento dry for at least 16 hours. The treated sand was then removed from theoven and washed 3 times with deionized water through a Whatman #2filter. The filtered sand was then placed in the same oven for another16 hours or until dry.

[0026] The sand was then characterized by a minimum ethanol drop method.First, ethanol standards were made for use in the MED(Minimum EthanolDrop) test through the production of 1M, 2M, 3M, and 4M solutions ofethanol using absolute 200 proof ethanol. A 15 mm petri dish with oneeighth of an inch of the test sand was used for the MED test. Ten dropsof distilled water were placed on top of the test sand and a stopwatchwas used to record the penetration time. After five minutes, the dropswere removed. Ten drops of the one molar ethanol were then placed on thesand and timed (an average of two minutes and 10 seconds). Ten drops ofthe two molar ethanol were then tested in the same manner (an average ofnine seconds). This test required that the drops that last an averageoften seconds be given the numerical value of the molar solution tested.Thus, the produced novel synthetic hydrophobic sand formulationexhibited a MED for 2M ethanol of at least 9 seconds.

[0027] Soil Additive Formulations

[0028] Soil additive formulations were then produced for measurement interms of humic acid removal from this test novel synthetic hydrophobicsand (all percentages listed below are by weight of the entireformulation):

EXAMPLE 1

[0029] 71.4 EO-PO Copolymer (MW˜3100)

[0030] 9.0 Tridecyl Alcohol 8 EO (SYNFAC® TDA-92)

[0031] 19.6 TPSA Di Potassium salt (SYNFAC® 8510)

EXAMPLE 2

[0032] 66.1 EO-PO Copolymer (MW˜2900)

[0033] 8.3 Tridecyl Alcohol 8 EO (SYNFAC® TDA-92)

[0034] 25.6 TPSA Mono TEA salt (production method noted below)

EXAMPLE 3

[0035] 18.5 INVIGORATE®

[0036] 18.5 Coconut fatty acid 9EO (SYNLUBE® 6278)

[0037] 18.5 TPSA Dipotassium salt (Syn Fac® 8515)

[0038] 44.5 Water

EXAMPLE 4

[0039] 100% Potassium Sebacate

[0040] Such a salt was prepared through the following procedure: 432grams of distilled water, 100 grams of Sebacic Acid (available fromArizona Chemical) and 112 grams of 45% KOH (available through BrenntagSoutheast distributors) was added to a 1000 ml three neck round bottomflask. The flask was purged with nitrogen and heated to 80-90° C. andheld for 2 hours. The acid value of the resulting product was 0.28 mgKOH/gram of sample.

EXAMPLE 5

[0041] 50 INVIGORATE®

[0042] 50 Water

EXAMPLE 6

[0043] 100 SYNFAC® 8510 (TPSA Dipotassium Salt)

EXAMPLE 7

[0044] 100% TPSA Mono-TEA Salt

[0045] Such a salt was produced through the following method:

[0046] 569.6 grams of distilled water, 271.6 grams of tetrapropenylsuccinic anhydride (available from Milliken Chemical) and 190.7 grams of99% Triethanolamine (available through Brenntag Southeast distributors)was added to a 1000 ml three neck round bottom flask. The flask waspurged with nitrogen and heated to 80-90° C. and held for 2 hours. Thecompletion of the reaction was monitored by IR analysis.

EXAMPLE 8

[0047] 100% TPSA Di-TEA Salt

[0048] Such a salt was produced through the following method:

[0049] 500 grams of distilled water, 271 grams of tetrapropenyl succinicanhydride (available from Milliken Chemical) and 300 grams of 99%Triethanolamine (available through Brenntag Southeast distributors) wasadded to a 1000 ml three neck round bottom flask. The flask was purgedwith nitrogen and heated to 80-90° C. and held for 2 hours. Thecompletion of the reaction was monitored by IR analysis.

EXAMPLE 9

[0050] 100% Fully Neutralized n-Octenyl Succinic Anhydride SulfanilicSodium Salt

[0051] Such a neutralized salt was prepared in accordance with thefollowing procedure:

[0052] Within a pyrex beaker equipped with a stirrer are 59.6 parts(0.282 moles) of n-octenyl succinic anhydride, 55.1 parts (0.282 moles)of a sodium salt of sulfanilic acid and 80 parts water were mixedtogether with gentle stirring over 30 minutes at 70° C., andsubsequently increased to 85° C. for another 30 minutes. A beige waxysolid was obtained The completion of the reaction was monitored by IRanalysis. Then 10 grams of solid was dissolved in 90 grams of water andthe pH was determined to be 3.46. This product was the comparativeexample listed below utilized within the humic acid redistribution test.

[0053] To another 10 gram sample of this product was added 1.70 grams of45% KOH dissolved in 90 grams of water and the resulting pH wasdetermined to be 6.97. This neutralized inventive product was thenutilized within the humic acid redistribution test.

[0054] These examples, plus the comparatives listed below, were alltested in terms of humic acid removal from the aforementioned test sand.A higher number of ppm removed in the table, below, indicates betterwettability and thus moisture penetration to alleviate dry spotlocalization within lawns, gardens, and the like. The removal procedurewas as follows:

[0055] Initially, a calibrated stock solution measurement curve forhumic acid itself was generated for comparison purposes with testedhumic acid removal samples. Thus, a 5000 ppm Humic Acid (purchased fromFluka Chemika) stock solution was prepared by dissolving 0.5 grams ofHumic acid in 100 milliliters of water. Further standard solutions wereprepared by serial dilution of the 5000 ppm sandard stock solution. Theabsorbance of each solution was measured at 620 nm on a Beckman Model DU650 Spectrophotometer and a plot of absorbance versus concentrationprovided the Humic Acid standard calibration curve. Humic AcidCalibration Table Ppm Humic Acid Absorbance @ 620 nm 0 0 100 0.1303 5000.6371 1000 1.2667 1500 1.9189

[0056] The Examples, listed above, both inventive and comparative, werethen each individually diluted with water (42 parts water: 1 partexample formulation). Two milliliters of each diluted example was thenplaced into the open end of a 19 inch clear plastic tube containing 3grams of the above specific humic acid coated sand. One end was thenplugged by a two-layer cheese cloth square of 1.5×1.5 cm and then thetube was situated vertically with the plugged end lower. The solutionswere allowed to pass through the sand and were collected after passingthrough the plug. The sand was then placed in an oven at 60° C. for 24hours to remove any residual moisture. The sand (3 grams) was againpacked into a 19 inch clear plastic tube plugged at one end with thecheese cloth plug. Ten ml of distilled water was then passed through thesand and collected. The absorbance at 620 nm of the distilled watersample was then measured and compared to the humic acid calibrationcurve (from the Table, above) to determine the amount of humic acidremoved from the coated sand. This test is, for the context of thisinvention, is the definition of “hydrophobic sand humic acid removaltest”. The removal results were as follows: TABLE Removal of Humic acidfrom Sand Product ppm Removed Water (Control) 0.24 Cascade ®(Comparative) 17.16 Primer 604² (Comparative) 26.73 Example 1 152.23Example 2 200.84 Example 3 922.49 Example 4 789.78 Example 5 353.70Example 6 837.52 Example 7 872.40 Example 8 246.46 Example 9 1015.15Silwet ® L-77 (Comparative) 94.62 Pluronic ® L-62 Copolymer plus 10%Silwet ® L-77³ 43.74 (Comparative) Polyoxyalkylenated Amine reactedDDSA⁴ 38.25 (Comparative) OSA sulfanilic unneutralized salt⁵ 27.04

[0057] Thus, the inventive formulations clearly showed extremely goodremoval (redistribution) of very high levels of humic acid from thesample hydrophobic sand.

[0058] There are, of course, many alternative embodiments andmodifications of the present invention which are intended to be includedwithin the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What we claim is:
 1. A method for reducing water repellency within sandyareas, soils, or areas including both sand and soil comprising theapplication of a soil additive formulation to a target area comprisingsand, soil, or both, wherein said soil additive formulation isnon-phytotoxic and exhibits a humic acid removal capacity under thehydrophobic sand humic acid removal test of at least 150 ppm.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein said soil additive formulation comprises atleast one humic acid redistribution compound selected from the groupconsisting of at least one hydroxy, alkoxy or C₁₋₆₀ alkyl, alkenyl, oralkaryl succinic acid or anhydride mono- or di-cation salt resultingfrom reaction with a metal or amine functional neutralization salt, atleast one C₄₋₆₀ branched or unbranched diacid mono- or di-cation saltresulting from reaction with a metal or amine functional neutralizationsalt, at least one polycarboxylic acid derivative salt, and any mixturesthereof, and from 0-99% by weight of at least one compound that activelylowers the surface tension of humic acid waxy coatings from hydrophobicsand particles.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said at least onecompound that actively lowers the surface tension of humic acid waxycoatings from hydrophobic sand particles comprises at least onecopolymer component exhibiting both hydrophilic and hydrophobicmonomers.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein said humic acidredistribution compound is a neutralized alkenyl succinic acidmono-cation salt.
 5. The method of claim 2 wherein said humic acidredistribution compound is a neutralized alkenyl succinic acid di-cationsalt.
 6. The method of claim 2 wherein said humic acid redistributioncompound is a polycarboxylic acid derivative salt.
 7. The method ofclaim 6 wherein said polycarboxylic acid derivative salt is a maleicacid polymer salt.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said soil additiveformulation is applied to said treated area in liquid, pellet, orgranular form.
 9. A method of reducing localized dry spot formationwithin lawns or greens comprising the application of a soil additiveformulation to a target lawn or green, wherein said soil additiveformulation is non-phytotoxic and exhibits a humic acid removal capacityunder the hydrophobic sand humic acid removal test of at least 150 ppm.10. The method of claim 9 wherein said soil additive formulationcomprises at least one humic acid redistribution compound selected fromthe group consisting of at least one hydroxy, alkoxy or C₁₋₆₀ alkyl,alkenyl, or alkaryl succinic acid or anhydride mono- or di-cation saltresulting from reaction with a metal or amine functional neutralizationsalt, at least one C₄₋₆₀ branched or unbranched diacid mono- ordi-cation salt resulting from reaction with a metal or amine functionalneutralization salt, at least one polycarboxylic acid derivative salt,and any mixtures thereof, and from 0-99% by weight of at least onecompound that actively lowers the surface tension of humic acid waxycoatings from hydrophobic sand particles.
 11. The method of claim 10wherein said at least one compound that actively lowers the surfacetension of humic acid waxy coatings from hydrophobic sand particlescomprises at least one copolymer component exhibiting both hydrophilicand hydrophobic monomers.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein said humicacid redistribution compound is a neutralized alkenyl succinic acidmono-cation salt.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein said humic acidredistribution compound is a neutralized alkenyl succinic acid di-cationsalt.
 14. The method of claim 10 wherein said humic acid redistributioncompound is a polycarboxylic acid derivative salt.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein said polycarboxylic acid derivative salt is a maleicacid polymer salt.
 16. The method of claim 9 wherein said soil additiveformulation is applied to said treated area in liquid, pellet, orgranular form.